Southern California Wedding Venues

Last Updated on May 29, 2025 by Joy Editors

Southern California’s wedding venues create pure magic that you won’t find anywhere else. The diversity ranges from intimate industrial spaces in Downtown LA to chic beachside spots in Malibu and romantic vineyard settings.

The natural backdrops make these Southern California wedding venues extraordinary. The Malibu Rocky Oaks estate showcases breathtaking 360-degree views from its circular mountain platform. Montage Laguna Beach pairs luxury with oceanfront lawns that create perfect settings for upscale ceremonies. Of course, the region’s mild year-round weather gives the best wedding venues in Southern California a huge advantage, so couples can plan outdoor celebrations without weather concerns.

Your dream wedding could come to life at the San Diego Art Museum’s art-filled reception halls or Cielo Farms’ Tuscan-inspired celebration spaces with panoramic mountain views. The grand Camarillo Ranch can host up to 1,000 guests, showing how Southern California’s venues fit every style and budget. The average California wedding cost $26,049 in 2020, so knowing your options helps make the perfect choice.

Dos Pueblos Orchid Farm

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Dos Pueblos Orchid Farm sits on a beautiful coastline just west of Santa Barbara. This stunning venue combines historic charm with modern style to create one of southern California’s most sought-after wedding destinations.

Dos Pueblos Orchid Farm Highlights

Every couple who visits falls in love with the clifftop ceremony spot. The Pacific Ocean stretches out below, and the California coastline creates a spectacular backdrop for exchanging vows. The venue’s natural beauty gives photographers endless inspiration to work with.

Dos Pueblos stands out from other southern California wedding venues because it offers so much variety. The property features:

• A working farm with chickens and goats
• Golden hills that roll down to the ocean
• Beautiful greenery and flowers throughout the grounds
• Peaceful sounds of waves in the background

Guests can enjoy drinks among hanging plants and greenery before heading to the amazing reception space. The layout lets everyone move easily between different areas of the property.

Dos Pueblos Orchid Farm Style

The greenhouse reception space is the jewel of Dos Pueblos Orchid Farm. This amazing structure with glass walls and ceiling strikes a perfect balance – you feel like you’re outdoors while staying comfortable whatever the weather. The space becomes magical at night when string market lights create what one couple called “the night sky with a million stars”.

The venue works beautifully with different design ideas. Some past celebrations include:

A “Pixie Garden Party” that used carved wooden mushrooms instead of a traditional archA summer celebration in berry colors – mauve, dusty pink, deep red, and raspberryA laid-back California wedding with beaded chandeliers and stunning flower displays

Couples love creating garden party atmospheres here. Some have used summer fruits to inspire their color choices, while others went for whimsical spring colors. The venue’s style perfectly mixes natural beauty with personal touches.

Dos Pueblos Orchid Farm Guest Capacity

Dos Pueblos Orchid Farm has plenty of room for celebrations of all sizes. The clifftop ceremony area gives guests a perfect view of your vows with the Pacific Ocean behind you. The greenhouse reception space can be set up in many ways to fit your guest list.

Previous weddings have featured different table setups including:

• Wood farm tables with onyx velvet runners
• Round tables with bone velvet covers
• Head tables fully covered in gray charcoal velvet linens

The space is flexible enough that planners can create seating arrangements matching your style and needs. Past couples have used unique table settings with custom menus to make the experience their own.

The venue offers more than just space. You’ll find countless spots for amazing photos – from ocean views and beach access to cactus gardens and open fields. This gives you a complete wedding experience with beautiful backdrops for every moment.

Top-tier vendors often work here. Many couples team up with well-known planners like Wild Heart Events and florists such as Siren Floral Co. to create their dream wedding. Add catering from places like Feast and Fest, and you can turn this venue into anything you imagine.

Without doubt, Dos Pueblos Orchid Farm ranks among southern California’s finest wedding venues, especially if you love natural beauty with rustic touches. The mix of ocean views, greenhouse reception space, and varied photo locations creates an unforgettable experience for everyone.

Cielo Farms

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Cielo Farms stands out as a magnificent Tuscan-inspired estate nestled in Malibu’s hills. This stunning property covers thirty acres of rich landscape and gives couples a perfect backdrop of mountain views and quiet seclusion for their wedding day.

Cielo Farms Highlights

“Cielo” means “sky” or “heaven” in Spanish, which captures this venue’s magical quality. You’ll find it at 31424 Mulholland Highway in Malibu. The estate feels miles away from LA’s busy streets, yet sits within the 30-mile studio zone. Hundreds of olive trees welcome guests as they arrive, creating a Mediterranean feel that takes you right to the Italian countryside.

This venue stands apart from other Southern California wedding spots thanks to its mix of natural beauty and well-designed spaces. The property features:

• Amazing views of the Santa Monica Mountains that create a stunning backdrop
• A working vineyard that makes estate wines just for venue events
• The Barn Tasting Room where guests can sample local wines
• A semi-private outlook terrace that’s perfect for quiet moments

Couples get the whole venue to themselves on their wedding day. This private setting creates an intimate atmosphere no matter how many guests attend. One couple called it “a private slice of heaven”.

The venue comes with great amenities that make weddings run smoothly. These include valet parking, a bridal suite, and help with event design. Fans of “New Girl” might recognize this as the place where Schmidt and Cece planned their wedding.

Cielo Farms Style

Cielo Farms blends country charm with elegant sophistication. The property makes you feel like you’re “tucked away in a little idyllic bubble of Tuscany” instead of Malibu. This special quality sets it apart from other Southern California wedding venues.

The Barn sits at the venue’s heart. This rustic stone building with warm wooden interiors becomes the center of celebrations. The Barn includes:

• A cozy indoor space that works great for small gatherings
• Plenty of room for dancing at receptions
• Beautiful fairy lights and string lighting that create magic
• A loft where the wedding party can get ready

Cielo Farms ranks among Southern California’s best wedding venues because it works well with different styles. The venue’s neutral, earthy colors need little decoration, but couples can also add their own personal touches. Simple celebrations look just as beautiful as fancy ones with custom flowers.

Couples can choose from several stunning ceremony spots based on their guest count and style. They might exchange vows by a pretty fountain with rolling hills behind them, creating a romantic setting. The Outlook offers another option with its sweeping mountain views.

Cielo Farms Guest Capacity

The venue fits up to 200 guests comfortably, making it great for medium to large weddings. While the property spreads out wide, the main event areas keep things feeling close and personal no matter the party size.

Ceremony options include three distinct spots based on group size:

1. The garden south of The Barn – fits about 120 guests
2. The Outlook – perfect for 50-75 guests, with mountain views all around
3. Inside The Barn – holds around 30 guests, great for cooler weather

Reception spaces offer similar flexibility. The gardens east and south of The Barn work separately or together to fit up to 200 guests. Smaller groups of about 30 people can enjoy The Barn’s cozy interior.

Professional photos might make the venue look bigger because photographers use wide-angle lenses. The actual event space feels more intimate than pictures suggest. This works out well – the property uses its space smartly and offers lots of different settings that flow together nicely.

Couples should know they’ll need to work with Tres LA catering and Premiere rentals. Past couples say these vendors are “the best of the best and very high quality”. Their knowledge of the venue helps events run smoothly despite its unique layout.

Cielo Farms gives couples a Southern California wedding venue that mixes rustic charm with amazing natural beauty. Its Tuscan style, flexible spaces, and mountain views create a perfect backdrop for a magical wedding day.

Montage Laguna Beach

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Montage Laguna Beach sits on a coastal bluff with views of the Pacific Ocean. This luxurious haven ranks among southern California’s best wedding venues. The extraordinary resort covers 30 acres of oceanfront property in Laguna Beach’s vibrant arts community. Couples can find the perfect mix of natural beauty and sophisticated elegance for their special day.

Montage Laguna Beach Highlights

Couples love this breathtaking location for their oceanfront celebration. The resort sits between Los Angeles and San Diego with 180-degree Pacific Ocean views. These views create a stunning backdrop for ceremonies and receptions. The venue’s exclusivity policy makes it special – they host just one wedding per day. This ensures your celebration remains uniquely yours.

The wedding celebration reaches new heights through Montage Laguna Beach’s culinary experience. Their talented culinary team creates custom menus with fresh organic ingredients that match each couple’s vision. The dining becomes just as memorable as the setting.

The venue provides a complete wedding experience with these amenities:

• On-site accommodations with 248 craftsman-style rooms all with ocean views
• A 20,000-square-foot Spa Montage for pre-wedding relaxation
• Exquisite dining options at three restaurants: Studio, The Loft, and Mosaic Bar & Grille
• Two onsite pools and many outdoor recreation options

The dedicated service sets Montage Laguna Beach apart from other southern California wedding venues. Their event and wedding specialists help couples create unique experiences from early planning through the celebration.

Montage Laguna Beach Style

Montage Laguna Beach’s architecture reflects Laguna Beach’s artistic heritage with craftsman-style design throughout. This unique look blends naturally with the coastal environment to create refined elegance.

Couples can pick from three oceanfront event lawns for ceremonies. Each lawn provides a romantic seaside setting for up to 300 guests. The Pacific Lawn shows coastal bliss at its best with 180-degree ocean views and the beautiful Laguna Beach shoreline. It’s perfect for toasts, dining, and dancing under stars.

Studio offers another amazing ceremony option. It sits 50 feet above the Pacific with big ocean views stretching to the horizon. Couples exchange vows here with waves creating nature’s soundtrack.

The indoor spaces match this sophistication. The Grand Ballroom features 16-foot ceilings, a pre-function promenade foyer, and an outdoor courtyard. The Gallery Ballroom provides a more intimate yet elegant setting that adapts to different celebration styles.

These spaces become special because they showcase the location’s natural beauty. One couple mentioned the setting shows “Mother Nature at her best.” The Pacific Ocean and Laguna Beach’s beauty create such a stunning backdrop that you need minimal decorations.

Montage Laguna Beach Guest Capacity

The venue adapts well to celebrations of different sizes. The Grand Ballroom impresses most with its 7,500 square feet. It fits up to 500 guests for seated dinners or 800 guests in theater-style seating for ceremonies.

The Gallery Ballroom offers a more intimate option with 3,200 square feet. It holds up to 240 guests or 300 for a reception.

The outdoor spaces offer great capacity options:

• The Ocean Lawn fits up to 250 guests
• The Pacific Lawn holds up to 400 guests
• The Studio Lawn welcomes up to 250 guests

A 1,200-square-foot outdoor courtyard next to both ballrooms gives guests space to mingle before the main celebration.

We’ve looked at several outstanding wedding venues in southern California, but Montage Laguna Beach stands out. It combines luxury accommodations, great service, and amazing views. The property has 253 guestrooms, suites, and beach-style bungalows. Each room offers ocean views with balconies or patios for outdoor relaxation. Rooms feature marble bathrooms with separate shower and soaking tub, signature Montage bedding and linens, and estate-quality furnishings.

The venue works well for both intimate gatherings and grand celebrations. This makes it one of southern California’s best wedding venues. You can plan a lavish affair in the Grand Ballroom or an intimate oceanside ceremony. Every moment at Montage Laguna Beach becomes part of an unforgettable mixture of memories by the sea.

The venue brings together stunning natural backdrops, flexible event spaces, luxury accommodations, and great service. These elements make Montage Laguna Beach perfect for couples who want a unique wedding experience that combines sophistication with Southern California’s relaxed coastal living.

Valentine DTLA

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Behind an ocean-blue façade in downtown Los Angeles, Valentine DTLA stands as an exceptional industrial gem among wedding venues in southern California. The venue spans 9,000 square feet in a century-old building located in DTLA’s North Sea Neighborhood. It gives couples a unique urban alternative to beachfront and countryside celebrations.

Valentine DTLA Highlights

The venue’s rich history and careful renovation make it special. Built in the 1920s in the city’s old seafood market area, this building has an interesting past. It served as a hotel, a brothel, a fish and oyster company, and housed various businesses from glass blowing to marijuana cultivation. This mysterious history adds layers of character to the space.

The building’s transformation into a greenhouse-like setting makes it stand out among southern California’s wedding venues. The designers created spaces that blend naturally with each other:

• A 35-foot greenhouse roof fills the Courtyard with natural light
• Tropical plants and lush gardens create an oasis feeling
• Local artists’ work adds character and visual appeal
• A commercial kitchen supports any catering team

Valentine made sustainability a priority during renovation. The team reused construction materials like lumber, steel, stairwells, flooring, and windows to create ceilings, walls, furniture, and decorative elements. The building is now three times more energy efficient, thanks to greenhouse roofs that use California’s sunshine and ocean breezes.

Valentine DTLA Style

Valentine DTLA blends eclectic tropical with industrial chic. Large disco balls hang from above, creating magical light patterns that transform evening celebrations. Pink vintage murals cover the walls, offering perfect photo spots everywhere.

The venue has several distinct areas:

The Greenhouse Courtyard makes a stunning ceremony spot with its 20-foot clay and wood walls set on reclaimed brick and polished concrete floors. A 14-foot tall, heptagonal keyhole door features lemurs and butterflies in a playful mural.

The Sunset Dining Room (Grand Hall) shows off different textures with its patchwork concrete floors, Josh Beckman’s clay murals, and wooden walls. A 20-foot cinema screen allows custom projections during receptions. The dining tables come from the original hotel’s tongue-and-groove floors.

The Veranda offers a special guest experience that works great for food carts, cocktail bars, or photo booths. Couples can retreat to Grünwald, a cozy space with velvet couches and patchwork fabric walls.

Valentine DTLA surprises guests at every turn. Photographers love how urban LA mixes with greenery to create unique backgrounds.

Valentine DTLA Guest Capacity

The venue’s flexible design works for different-sized celebrations. It fits 240 guests for seated events and up to 550 for standing receptions.

Each space has its own capacity:

• Courtyard Garden: 2-240 seated or 2-500 standing (2,610 sq ft)
• Grand Hall: 2-240 seated or 2-500 standing (2,604 sq ft)

Bigger events can use both Valentine and the neighboring Grass Room. This setup works well for both small gatherings under 100 guests and larger celebrations.

Prices range from $10,765 to $21,785 based on the day and guest count. For May 22nd, 2025, costs run between $12,265 and $17,985. These fees include venue use, site management, cleaning, kitchen setup, and furniture arrangement.

Valentine DTLA offers an urban character that sets it apart from other southern California wedding venues. A past couple said, “The venue is breathtakingly beautiful and unique from end to end”. From tropical flowers to vintage murals and impressive disco balls, Valentine creates an unforgettable celebration space.

San Ysidro Ranch

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San Ysidro Ranch, a 130-year-old legendary hideaway, stands as the perfect example of seclusion and luxury among wedding venues in southern California. This historic Montecito property stretches across 550 acres and gives couples a peaceful vacation spot with exceptional privacy for their special day.

San Ysidro Ranch Highlights

The sort of thing I love about San Ysidro Ranch is its extraordinary natural setting. The property’s views of both the Pacific Ocean and Channel Island from the Santa Ynez Mountains’ foothills create a stunning backdrop. Its location offers complete seclusion that makes you feel miles away from daily life.

The venue’s rich history makes it even more special. Many notable guests have stayed here over the years:

• Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh exchanged midnight wedding vows on the grounds
• John and Jackie Kennedy honeymooned in the cottage that now bears their name
• Winston Churchill, Sinclair Lewis, and other luminaries have graced the property

Much like a European retreat, the ranch lifts the wedding experience beyond just the ceremony. Guests enjoy:

• Private wine tastings and on-site spa services
• Tennis court, hiking trails, and outdoor heated pool
• Botanical gardens and nightly live music
• Professional event planning and coordination

San Ysidro Ranch stands out from other southern California wedding venues because it blends historic charm with natural beauty. The property radiates rustic elegance while offering modern luxuries that sophisticated couples expect.

San Ysidro Ranch Style

Timeless sophistication meets countryside charm at San Ysidro Ranch. Thirty-eight vine-covered cottages scatter across the landscape, nestled among lush gardens where flowers bloom year-round under majestic sycamores and gnarled oaks. Many guests call it “a slice of paradise.”

Each intimate cottage features thoughtfully designed interiors with:

• Gated entries with enclosed gardens and adjacent private parking
• Antiques and original artwork that create a European country-home atmosphere
• Persian rugs, stone fireplaces, and king-sized four-poster beds
• Oversized sunken spas and outdoor rainfall showers

The ranch offers several distinctive options for wedding celebrations. The Gardens provide stunning ceremony backdrops with natural beauty and serenity. The historic Old Adobe, dating to 1825, delivers rustic elegance and charming décor that works perfectly for rehearsal dinners. Couples can create their celebration across these enchanting settings.

San Ysidro Ranch Guest Capacity

The ranch welcomes weddings of various sizes, with room for up to 200 guests. The venue really shines when hosting intimate gatherings.

Several ceremony and reception spaces offer different capacities:

• Garden ceremony venues fit up to 100 guests
• Indoor spaces like the Old Adobe welcome smaller groups
• The Stonehouse Restaurant, housed in a 19th-century citrus packing house, serves elegant meals with creek-side views

The ranch’s 41 individual cottages provide overnight accommodations. Couples can book the entire property for family and friends to create an immersive wedding weekend experience.

Wedding costs at San Ysidro Ranch typically range from $50,000 to $100,000, depending on chosen spaces and services. This pricing places it among the premium options for southern California wedding venues.

One couple described San Ysidro Ranch as “the most magical, timeless place on earth”. The venue’s blend of privacy, natural beauty, and historic significance creates an ideal setting for couples who want “an escape from the real world” with cozy cottage accommodations and beautiful gardens.

Comparison Table

Conclusion

Southern California has an amazing selection of wedding venues that can make any couple’s dream celebration come true. Let’s look at five exceptional venues that each bring their own unique charm and character.

Dos Pueblos Orchid Farm will fascinate you with its stunning clifftop ceremony spot and rustic greenhouse reception area. This coastal gem’s natural beauty creates an unforgettable backdrop for couples who want both elegance and authenticity.

Cielo Farms feels like a slice of Tuscany right in the Malibu hills. The 30-acre estate’s Mediterranean atmosphere and sweeping mountain views make you feel like you’ve been whisked away to the Italian countryside while staying in Southern California.

Without doubt, Montage Laguna Beach stands as the pinnacle of luxury. The oceanfront property combines sophisticated craftsman-style architecture with 180-degree Pacific views. Nature’s beauty meets refined elegance here.

Valentine DTLA shines as an urban oasis that draws couples who love industrial chic style. This transformed 1920s building surprises visitors with its greenhouse roof, tropical plants, and eclectic décor—just perfect for couples wanting something uniquely LA.

San Ysidro Ranch completes our list with its timeless charm and rich history. Many famous personalities have chosen this 550-acre hideaway for their special day, drawn by its peaceful seclusion and natural beauty.

You can exchange vows with ocean views, among vineyard vistas, under tall trees, or in reimagined historic spaces. The region’s mild climate year-round means outdoor celebrations rarely face weather issues.

The venues vary in price from Valentine DTLA starting at $10,765 to San Ysidro Ranch at $50,000+. Each venue offers its own special value. Your ideal choice will depend on your vision, guest count, and budget.

These five venues showcase some of Southern California’s finest spots, but many more hidden gems await in the region. Your perfect love story backdrop exists somewhere in Southern California’s varied landscape—you just need to find the one that speaks to your heart.